CHAPTER 6 Additional content

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4.6.3 Water management

MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES

Almost all of the water drawn by our refineries and chemical plants is freshwater from the municipal system or third parties. Once the effluents are treated in the treatment plants, they are discharged at the authorised points, discharging 95% of their volume into the sea, in line with the parameters applicable to each case.

For Exploration & Production assets, freshwater, the main sources of which are groundwater and municipal or third party supplies, is used for workover and drilling. However, freshwater volumes are minimal compared to our total water abstraction. We account for the water that is naturally occurring in our crude oil extraction processes (produced water), which is part of the fluid obtained from the source rock, and which flows from the reservoir to the surface where it needs to be separated. This water, once separated from the crude oil, is treated to meet the necessary specifications for re-injection, which is a sustainable solution.

WATER RISK ASSESSMENT

We update the water risk assessment of our facilities annually using WWF's Water Risk Filter tool. It calculates both basin water risk, through 32 public and global indicators, and operational risk, for which we calculate our impacts as water users. In both cases, they are divided into three broad categories of physical, reputational and regulatory risks.

Following the latest assessment, none of Cepsa s facilities have been found to be at high risk. The La Rábida and Gibraltar-San Roque refineries and the Exploration and Production asset in Algeria, BMS, have been classed as medium risk.

These three facilities have been prioritised for assessment using the internal risk methodology, no risks with a substantive impact having been identified. Controls and mitigation measures have been identified for each of the risks and events assessed. There are plans to extend this assessment to the other facilities where the Water Risk Filter tool is used.

RELATIONSHIP WITH SUPPLIERS AND THEIR USE OF WATER RESOURCES

Our 'Sustainable Procurement Policy' prioritises climate action when contracting third parties that demonstrate efficient and responsible consumption of energy and water resources.

Our 'Supplier Code of Conduct' is also mandatory, reflecting specific commitments on environmental issues, with particular emphasis on optimising the use of water resources.

GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT

We focus on preventing potential leaks so as to protect soil and groundwater from the effects of an accidental spill. In case of occurrence, we have paving in the process areas and collection pipelines, as well as early warning mechanisms and control procedures for detection and action in the event of an impact.